Submerged flushing device



Jan. 13, 1959 J'.v A. GRAY 2,867,820

SUBMERGED FLUSHING DEVICE Filed July 8, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl'g. Fig. 3

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James A. Gray INVENToR.

Jan. 13, 1959 A, GRAY '2,867,820

SUBMERGED FLUSHING DEVICE Filed July 8, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 James A. Gray INVENToR.

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SUBMERGED FLUsruNG DEVICE James A. Gray, San Francisco, Calif., assigner to Alessandra Gray, Verona, Italy Application .luly 8, 1957, Serial No. 670,406 14 Claims. (Cl. 4-41) This invention relates to a ushing device for the tank of a water closet.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a ilushing device for a ush tank of a water closet, the device having a valve controlled port through which the tank is emptied, there being water pressure operated means to move the valve to the port opening position and including a multiple position valve whose settings are adjusted in response to movement of the water pressure operated means. The multi-position valve is set into operation to cause a full flushing cycle by merely releasing the multiple position valve so that the water pressure and mechanical movements caused by it will follow.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be installed in the ush tank of the ordinary household water closet and which provides a novel automatic means to enable the gravity emptying of the tank into the toilet in response to a single handle operation, my device automatically moving through a complete cycle of operation during which various parts of the movements in the cycle are caused by Water under pressure of the domestic water supply system.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a submerged flushing device that has a casing adapted to connect in registry with the iiush tank outlet, this casing being provided with a port or a plurality of ports that are controlled by a movable valve. The movements of the valve are caused by initially manually operating a handle of a multi-position valve and this causes water to iiow into a chamber in the casing thereby elevating a piston in the chamber. The piston rod has a mechanical connection with the valve which causes the movement of the piston rod to be transmitted to the valve. But, when the upper limit of the piston movement is attained, the mechanical fastening connection between the piston rod and valve is opened which will enable the valve to be gravity lowered to the port closing position.

The piston and piston rod and consequently the valve are moved by water under pressure thereby requiring no manual exertion beyond a servo force. The same situation prevails in connection with the lowering of the piston after the valve has opened the po-rts and is returning to the port closing position. The multi-position valve which is operated by the handle, is automatically set by a mechanical linkage between the piston rod and the valve. Therefore when the piston rod is elevated to the top position, the multi-position valve is adjusted to direct the waterunder pressure into the chamber and on the other side of the piston. At the same time the initially applied water under pressure is permitted to drain into the flush tank. Therefore, the piston is positively returned by water pressure until it achieves its starting position at which the multi-position valve is automatically reset for further operation of my ilushing device.

Other objects and features of importance will become apparent in `following the description of the illustrated -form of the invention.

nited States Patent O ICC Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of an attachment constructed in accordance with the invention, the attachment being mounted in an ordinary liush tank, parts of the attachment being shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the multi-position valve showing the setting thereof when the attachment is at the rest position of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the positions of the parts when the valve has been moved to the port opening position but prior to the opening of the means which fasten the valve to the piston rod;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the multi-position valve showing the adjustment thereof which corresponds to the position of parts in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of my attachment showing the same when the valve has returned to the port closing position but prior to the resetting of the piston and piston rod as well as the multiple position valve;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the multiple position valve as it would appear when the attachment is adjusted as shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a `fragmentary top view of a flush tank and a flushing device mounted therein.

In the accompanying drawings there is a flushing device 10 which is adapted to be installed in a standard flush tank 12 and in registry with the outlet 14, usually in the ybottom wall 16 of an ordinary flush tank. Pipe 18 conducts the water from the flush tank 12 to a point of use which isusually a toilet bowl.

Flushing device 10 is constructed of a casing 20 that has an open lower end provided with a shoulder 22 that seats in outlet 14 and that accommodates the nut 24. This holds the casing 20 rigidly fastened in place within the flush tank 12. The upper end of the flush tank has an end wall 26 threaded thereon and provided with a central aperture 28 through which piston rod 30 passes. The piston rod is hollow so that the passage 32 extending completely through it functions as an overflow for the flush tank. A chamber 34 is formed in the casing 20 by a part of the side wall of the casing above transverse wall 36 which is located intermediate the ends of casing 20 and below the top wall 26. Wall 36 has a central aperture 38 in alignment with aperture 28 and through which the piston rod 30 is passed and guided. Ports 40 are formed in the lower end of casing 20 and are arranged to register the interior of tank 10 with the outlet 14 and pipe 18. Accordingly, the flushing water is passed from the interior of tank 10 through ports 40, outlet 14 and pipe 18.

Valve 42 is slidably mounted in casing 20 and is in the i form of a piston with skirt 44 slidable on the inner surface of the side wall of casing 20 and sleeve 46 concentrically arranged with the skirt and slidable on the lower end of piston rod 30. The valve is loosely iitted in casing 20 and/ or has a breather port 45 to enable the valve to move freely between the upper port 40 opening position and the lower port 40 closing position. The lower limit of travel for the valve 42 is established by a shoulder 48 which is formed in the lower end of casing 20 below ports 40.

A spring latch 50 is'attached to the valve 42 and has a shoulder 52 at the upper end thereof. The upper eX- treme end of latch 50 has a cam surface 54 formed on it, this cam surface being adapted to slide over the fixed cam 56 that is on the lower surface of wall 36. Shoulder 52 is engageable with the annular flange 58 on piston rod 30 in order to hold the valve 42 releasably fastened to the piston rod. Therefore flange 58 and latch 50 constitute means by which to releasably fasten the valve 42 to the piston rod 30. Inasmuch as the wall 36 is fixed, Aas the piston rod is elevated, cam surface 54 bears against the stationary Vor fixed cam .surface56 thereby releasing the fastening means for the valve and enabling the valve to be gravity lowered.

Piston 60 is attached to the .piston rod 30 between the 'ends of the piston rodfand fis :captive within the chamber 34.. The purpose of the piston'is to provide a surface against `which water pressure reacts 'on either the upper .or lthe lower surface thereof so that the valve 42 is controlled by a servo control force applied to handle 62 of the multiple position valve 64.

j .Valve`64 is constructed vof .a valve body 66 provided with a valve chamber v68 in which rotary core 70 is mounted. Inlet port 72 is formed in valve body 66 and is connected 'by pipe 73 with a source of water under pres` to the chamber 34 below the piston 60. Conductor 7S' is a return line which opens into the tank 12 in order to conduct the water from the lower part of chamber 34 back into tank 12 when the lower part of chamber 34 is purged of water. This occurs when water under pressure is applied to the top part of chamber 34 through conductor which is registered withport 75 in valve body 66 and wlth an opening 90 in the side wall of the .casing near the top thereof.

Handle 62 is attached to spindle 91. Dog 93 is secured to the spindle 91 and is engageable with stop 94. This stop is attached to an arm 96 which is keyed to spindle `98, the key also being connected to core 70. The function of handle 62 is to release dog 93 from stop 94 enabling the valve 64 to be adjusted to the position shown in Figure 4. This adjustment is obtained by the action of spring 100 that is concentrically mounted on push rod `102. This push rod is slidably disposed in sleeve 104, the latter being pivoted to arm 96. The oppo-site end of the push rod 102 has a ball 106 formed on it, this ball being located in an annular groove 108 in collar 110 that is fixed to the upper extremity of piston rod 30. Therefore, upon release of dog 93 from stop 94 and with the piston rod in the down position as shown in Figure l, the stored energy in spring 100 will rotate the spindle 98 to the position shown in Figure 3 at which the stop 94 cornes to bear against abutment 114 on the end wall of valve body 66. At this valve setting the pasasge 116 in valve core 70 registers the inlet line 73 with the port 82. Water under pressure passes through the Vvalve 64, conduit 77 and into the lower part of -chamber 34. This forces the piston 60 upward carrying piston -rod30 with it and thereby elevates valve 42 in order to open the ports 40. Water from tank 12 is then capable of owing through outlet 14, pipe 18 and into the toilet. As indicated prcviously'the upward vmovement of valve 42 continues so long as the fastening means between the piston rod and valve 42 are engaged. They are disengaged when the piston rod is elevated to the position slightly higher than that shown in Figure 3 at which the cam surfaces 54 and 56 engage and cause the latch 50 to release from flange 58. vAfter release of valve 42 it is gravity lowered. After the valve 42 `has been elevated to the position at which the valve is released from piston rod 30, the link formed by spring 100, push rod 102 andsleeve 104, passes through the overcenter position l (compare Figures 3 and 5) and this results in further adjustment of the multi-position valve 64. The operation caused by the new setting of the valve (Figures and 6) enables the lower part of chamber 34 to be drained through conduits 77, ports 82 and 80 and conduit 78. The water, so drained, is returned Ito tank 12. At the same time water under 'city Vpressure .is passed through valve 64 and into the upper part 'of vchamber 34 l.through conduit 88. Meanwhile, (Figure 6) the llel 'lube 74 iS refilling tank 12.

Piston 60 continues to vlower .as more water `under pressure is applied to the upper surface thereof by entering the top of chamber 34. Therefore valve 42 becomes again engaged with piston rod 30. Following the engagement of valve 42 with rod 30, the link formed by sleeve 104, rod 102 and spring 100, again passes through the overcenter position, "causing valve core 70 to return to the position shown in Figure l. matically engages With stop 94. When this condition exists tank 12 has again had its water supply replenished and the flushing device is ready for another cycle of operation.

It is understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. in a flushing device for a Hush tank of a water closet having an outlet, said device comprising a casing in registry with the ush tank outlet and having a water port near said outlet, a generally vertically movable valve to open and close said port and movably .mounted in said casing, a -wall having an aperture and disposed in said casing and which separates the casing into a chamber, a piston having a piston rod extending through said aperture and disposed in said chamber, means including a multiple position valve to conduct water under pressure into said chamber alternately on opposite faces of said piston to move said piston, means releasably fastening the part of said piston rod on the exterior of said chamber to said valve so that said Valve is moved to the port opening position in response to the application of water under pressure into said chamber on one face of said piston and the consequential movement of said piston.

2. In a ushing device for a ilush tank of a water closet having an outlet, said device comprising a casing in registry with the ush tank outlet and having a water port near said outlet, a generally vertically movable valve to open and close said port and movably mountedin said casing, a wall having an :aperture and disposed in said casing and which separates the casing into a chamber, a piston having a piston rod extending through said aperture and disposed in said chamber, means including a multiple position valve to conduct water under pressure into said chamber alternately on opposite faces of said piston to move said piston, means releasably fastening the part of said piston rod on the exterior of said chamber to said Valve so that said lvalve is moved to the port opening position in responseto theapplication of water under pressure into said chamber on one face of said piston and the consequential movement of said piston, and means in said casing to release said valve from engagement with said piston rod when said valve is moved a predetermined distance in said chamber.

3. In a flushing device for a flush tank of a water closet having an outlet, said device comprising a casing in registry with the flush tank outlet and having a water port near said outlet, a generally vertically movable valve to open and close said port and movably mounted in said casing, a wall having an aperture and disposed in said casing and which separates the casing into a chamber, a piston having a piston rod extending through said aperture and disposed in said chamber, means including .a multiple position valve to conduct water under pressure into said chamber alternately on opposite faces 'of said piston to move said piston, means releasably fastening the part of said piston rod on the exterior of said chamber to said valve so .that said valve is moved to the port opening .position in response to the application of-water Vunder `pressure into said chamber on one face 'of said -piston and the consequential movement of said piston, and means in Vsaid casing to release said valve from engagement withsaid piston rod when said Valve isfmoved a predetermined distance in .said chamber after which said valve is gravity lowered to the port closing posiltion, means connected to. said rod and saidmultipleposition valve and responsive to continued movement ofrsa'id The dog 93 autop piston rod for adjusting said multiple position valve to a new position at which said chamber is registered on the other face of said piston with said tank to empty said chamber and enable said piston to be lowered.

4. In a ush device for a ush tank of a water closet having an outlet, said device comprising a casing in registry with the flush tank outlet and having a water port near said outlet, a generally vertically movable valve to open and close said port and movably mounted in said casing, a wall having an aperture and disposed in said casing and which separates the casing into a chamber, a' piston having a piston rod extending through said aperture and disposed in said chamber, means including a multiple position valve to conduct water under pressure into said chamber alternately on opposite faces of said piston to move said piston, means releasably fastening the part of said piston rod on the exterior of said chamber to said valve so that said valve is moved to the port opening position in response to the application of water under pressure into said chamber on one face of said piston and the consequential movement of said piston, and means in said casing to release said valve from engagement with said piston rod when said valve is moved a predetermined distance in said chamber after which said valve is gravity lowered to the port closing position, means connected to said rod and said multiple position valve and responsive to continued movement of said piston rod for adjusting said multiple position valve to a new position at which said chamber is registered on one side of said piston with said ytank to empty said chamber and enable said piston to be lowered, and at which water under pressure is introduced in said chamber on the opposite side of said piston to force said piston to the lowered position in said casing and connect said releasable fastening means between said piston rod andv said valve.

5. For use in a flush tank which has a water outlet and a water inlet connected with a water supply, a flushing device comprising a casing connected with said outlet and having a port, a valve to control said port and mounted in said casing for movement between an upper port open position and a lower port closing position, means for moving said valve to the port opening position and including a multiple position valve together with a pair of water conductors connected respectively with said valve and to spaced parts of said casing and through one of which water under pressure is conducted to said casing in moving said valve to said port opening position, a piston between said spaced parts of said casing, a piston rod attached to said piston and to which said valve is releasably connected, means attached to and responsive to the movement of said piston rod for adjusting said multiple position valve to a new position after said valve is moved to the port opening position at which new position water under pressure is applied through one of said conductors into said casing on the opposite side ot said piston and at which the water in said casing on the other side of said piston is exhausted.

6. For use in a flush tank which has a water outlet and a water inlet connected with a water supply, a flushing device comprising a casing connected with said outlet and having a port, a valve to control said port and mounted in said casing for movement between an upper port open position and a lower port closing position, means for moving said valve to the port opening position and including a multiple position valve together with a pair of water conductors connected respectively with said valve and to spaced parts of said casing and through one of which water under pressure is conducted to said casing in moving said valve to said port opening position, a piston between said spaced parts of said casing, a piston rod attached to said piston and to which said valve is releasably connected, means attached to and responsive to the movement of said piston rod for adjusting said multiple position valve to a new position after said valve is moved to the port opening position at which new position water under pressure is applied through one of said conductors into said casing on the opposite side of said piston and at which the water in said casing on the other side of said piston is exhausted whereby said piston and piston rod are lowered to again engage said piston rod with said valve, said means 'connected with and responsive to the movement of said piston rod and including an extensible link which for adjusting said multiple position valve when said piston rod is lowered.

7. In a iiushing attachment for a toilet bowl, the combination of a casing, a piston rod having a piston in said casing, a water inlet port in said casing, a valve in said casing to control said port and movable between raised and lowered portions in said casing, means releasably fastening said valve to said piston rod so that upon movement of said piston and piston rod said valve opens said port and moves said means to a raised position, means in said casing for releasing said fastening means thereby releasing said valve from said piston rod enabling said valve to be gravity returned to the port closing position.

8. In a flushing attachment for a toilet bowl, the combination of a casing, a piston rod having a piston in said casing, a water inlet port in said casing, a valve in said casing to control said port and movable between raised andlowered positions in said casing, means releasably fastening said valve to said piston rod so that upon movement of said piston and piston rod said valve opens said port and moves said means to a raised position, means in said casing for releasing said fastening means thereby releasing said valve from said piston rod enabling said valve to be gravity returned to the port closing position, a wall having an aperture and located in said casing separating said casing into a water chamber and a second chamber in which said piston is operable, said rod extending through said aperture and occupying both chambers, a multi-position valve adapted to be connected with a source of water under pressure, conductors operatively connecting said valve with said chamber on opposite sides of said piston, and means connected with said rod for adjusting said valve to sequential positions at which water under pressure is first applied to one side of said valve in said chamber through one of said conductors to move said piston, said piston rod and said valve to the position at which said fastening means release said valve, and then water under pressure is applied through another of said conductors to the opposite side of said piston in said chamber and thereby returns said piston and rod to the lowered position in said casing while the originally applied water under pressure in said chamber is emptied.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said piston rod is hollow and constitutes an overflow The combination of claim 8 wherein said for adjusting said multi-position valve includes an extensible linkage having two parts, and a spring reacting on said extensible linkage parts to extend the parts of said linkage.

ll. In a flush device for a ush tank, the combination of a casing, a piston having a piston rod and movable in said casing, a valve movably mounted in said casing, said casing having a port controlled by' said valve, means for applying water in said casing and on one side of said piston to thereby move said piston in a first direction in said casing, means releasably coupling said valve to said piston rod so that said valve is moved to the port opening position in response to movement of said piston and piston rod in one direction in said casing, means engageable by said coupling means for releasing said coupling means in response to movement of said valve in said casing beyond a predetermined limit, and means for applying liquid under pressure into said casing and on the opposite side of said'piston to thereby return said piston and recouple 'by rsaid coupling means said piston rod and valve.

l l2. A ushing device for a Viush tank, said flushing device comprising a casing, a wall having an opening and separating said casing into an upper and a lower chamber, a piston having a piston rod, said piston located in said lupper chamber and said piston rod passed through said opening in said wall and disposed in part in said upper chamber and in part in said lower chamber, a

portion of said piston rod located on the exterior of said casing, a multiposition control valve adapted to connect with the source of water under pressure, upper and lower conductors operatively connected with said control valve and attached to -said casing and in registry with said upper chamber and on opposite sides of said piston, manual means for actuating said control valve to introduce water under pressure into the lower part of said upper chamber and thereby elevate said piston and move said piston rod upwardly, said casing having a water port that registers with said lower chamber, a valve movably disposed in said lower chamber between port opening and port closing positions, means releasably coupling said valve to said piston rod so that said valve is moved to the 'port opening position in response to the aforesaid upward movement of said piston in said upper chamber, and means operatively connected with the portion of said piston rod that is on the exterior of said casing and operatively connected with said control valve for resetting said control valve in response to movement of said piston rod and thereby introducing water under pressure through the other of said conductors and into the upper part of said upper chamber to return said piston to the lowered position.

41'3. A llushing device for a flush tank, said flushing device comprising a casing, a wall having an opening and separating said casing into an upper and a lower chamber, a piston having a piston rod, said kpiston located in said upper chamber and said piston rod passed through` `said opening .in said wall and disposed in part in said upper chamber and in part in said lower chamber, a

portion `of said pistonrod .located onv the exterior of said casing, a multiposition control vvalve adapted to connect with the source of water under pressure, upper and -lower conductors operatively connected' with said control valve and attached to said ,casing and in registry with said upper chamber and on opposite sides of said piston, manual means for actuating said control valve to introduce Water under pressure into the lower part of said upper chamber and thereby elevate said piston and move said piston rod upwardly, said casing having a water port that registers with said lower chamber, a valve movably disposed in said lower chamber between port opening and port closing positions, means releasably coupling said valve to said piston red so that said valve is moved to the port opening position in response to the aforesaid upward movement of said piston in said upper chamber, and means operatively connected with the portion of said kpiston rod that is on the exterior of said casingl and operatively con-` nected with said control 'valve for resetting said control valve in Vresponse to movement of said piston rod and thereby introducing water under pressure through the other of said conductors and into the upper part of said upper -cha'mberfto return said piston to the lowered position, means 'for releasing said coupling means between said valve and piston rod when said valve is raised to the port opening position, and said coupling means reengag-v ing said piston rod and saidvalve when said piston is returned to the lowered positionV in said upper chamber.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said means operatively connected Yto the portion of said rod on the exterior of said casing include an overcenter linkage.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES 'PATENTS 

